Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Interns from around the world are learning about Alabama through one unique program
Reading time: 5 minutes
Sponsored
This summer, college students from around the world studying in Alabama embarked on a series of weekend excursions to find out what unique possibilities the state has to offer.
FuelAL, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) in partnership with Innovate Alabama, took nearly 60 students on tours through Birmingham and Gulf Shores with the goal of exposing them to Alabama’s attractions, thriving entertainment scene and diverse career opportunities.
A no-cost opportunity to see what Alabama has to offer
Despite their varied backgrounds—coming from Nepal, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas—students all shared one common goal: to discover what Alabama has to offer.
While college internships provide students with valuable workplace experience, they often miss out on what life could be like outside of the job. By immersing them in Alabama’s communities, FuelAL gives students a taste of what it would be like to live, work and have fun in our state after graduation.
Through this summer’s no-cost trips, students had the opportunity to expand their networks and connect with peers through:
- Professional workshops
- Guest speakers + panelists
- Mentorship opportunities
- Team building exercises
- Social events
- + more!
June: FuelAL students take Birmingham
For the first FuelAL trip of the summer, students explored the Birmingham area to experience the attractions of Alabama’s largest metropolitan region.
According to participants like Lauren Perry, a Birmingham native, exploring the city with her peers gave her a new outlook on her hometown.
“FuelAL opened my eyes to various career and recreational opportunities that even I, as a Birmingham native, never knew existed.
Before this program, I thought that I needed to leave my home state to launch my professional career. Now, that’s no longer the case. As I look beyond my graduation in May 2025, I intend to keep Alabama on my list of places to begin my career.”
Lauren Perry, Student, Vanderbilt University
During their weekend in The Magic City, the team:
- Enjoyed Barons Baseball at Regions Field
- Experienced local culinary standouts like EastWest + The St. Clair
- Networked over dinner with business executives + leaders across the community
- Participated in SlossTech 2024
- Toured the Honda Assembly Plant in Lincoln, AL
“Unexpectedly, my favorite part of the summit was our tour of the Honda Plant in Lincoln. I had never been to Lincoln nor had I ever been inside of a manufacturing plant.
The staff who kindly agreed to meet us during one of their holiday weeks went above and beyond to show not only the inner workings of the facility and its many departments, but also the culture of the company that unites all of its various parts into one cohesive, well-oiled machine.”
Lauren Perry, Student, Vanderbilt University
July: FuelAL goes to Gulf Shores
In July, the second group of interns took a trip to the coast to check out Gulf Shores and its many sites, attractions and industries.
In addition to exploring Alabama’s famous white sand beaches, the team:
- Engaged with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians
- Attended a fireside chat with executives at OWA Parks and Resort
- Enjoyed nighttime LED Glow Kayaking
- Toured The Cooper Group’s Blakeley BoatWorks
“One of the most interesting people I met was the Park Manager of Tropic Falls at OWA. His passion for his job was truly inspiring, and I admired his dedication to his work.
This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially networking and engaging with new people. It also broadened my view of the professional world and will certainly influence my future career path.”
Jesse Yankey, Student, Alabama A&M University
Get to know FuelAL + its awesome opportunities
If you or someone you know is a college student interning in Alabama, FuelAL could be your path to discovering unique career possibilities (and maybe even squashing some misconceptions about our great state while you’re at it!)
“I found out about FuelAL through my internship with Alabama Power. Being from Georgia, I had never heard of the opportunity, so I asked other interns around and heard only positive experiences.
This experience pushed me to consider Alabama as a place for me to start my career and family. Before, I thought that Alabama was only railroads and coal plants.”
Bryson Hannah, Student, Alabama A&M University
For more information about Fuel AL + upcoming opportunities for students, check out the EDPA website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram + LinkedIn.
Sponsored by:
